Page 62 of The Night Wolf
“Please, trust me. This is home. With me, my mate, and….” Sean reached for Quinn’s hand and placed it on his stomach. “Our baby. Your nephew.”
“Baby?” Quinn’s brow furrowed. “But men can’t have babies.”
“Apparently, I can.” When Quinn started to draw back, Sean held his hand still. “This is why you need to stay here, Quinn. This baby I have inside me? He’s your family. I’m your family. We need you. As for what you should do, that’s easy. Let Dani feed you. You need it to grow strong again. If for no other reason than you’re going to have to babysit on occasion.”
Quinn turned away. “I’m afraid all the time. Everyone here scares me because I don’t know what they expect, and when I think what will happen when Master finds me, that scares me too.”
“Okay, you want to know what’s going to help? Let me show you.” Sean got up and went to the other side of the bed. He lifted the comforter and slid under it, then pulled Quinn close. “You’re going to let your brother hold you, so you can find the comfort you haven’t had in far too long.”
“I don’t need it anymore. My wolf is dead.”
“If there is one thing I’m absolutely certain of, it’s that your wolf is still buried inside you. He wants to come out and be part of you again. In order for that to happen, you need to stop being afraid, and the only way to do that is to recognize your family. Now shut up and let me hold you.”
The sigh was soft as Quinn snuggled in. Sean held him firmly but as gently as he could. He could feel the bones of Quinn’s ribs against his arm, and when he laid his head against Quinn’s back, the bones in his shoulders protruded. Ryker had much to answer for, and Sean finally knew what he had to do to help set things right.
GARETH PULLEDthe door to Quinn’s bedroom shut. He was grateful that Sean had gone to see Quinn, and he hoped the fact that the two were cuddling together on the bed would help Quinn start the healing process. When Dani had told Gareth what Quinn offered to do for her, he had been horrified and appalled. He knew it was all on Ryker, but it tore at him because he understood what his hesitancy to take others into the pack had cost.
“Alpha?”
He turned to find Dani standing behind him, her hand wrapped in a dish towel.
“What happened? Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. I broke a glass while I was washing. I was thinking about Quinn and squeezed the stupid thing, and it shattered.” She reached for Gareth’s hand. “You did a good thing bringing him home with you.”
“I wouldn’t leave him there. He’s family. Mine and Sean’s, and yours and Caleb’s.” He sighed. “I think we need to have the first meeting of our new council. There are things we need to discuss.” Now that he had the six members he wanted, it was time.
Dani gave him a sharp nod and hustled downstairs.
Gareth opened the door once more. He could hear Quinn’s gentle breathing, and he could see that Sean was looking directly at him. He stepped into the room and tiptoed to the bed. “Thank you for connecting with him. He was afraid of everyone, even Dani. Maybe now he’ll eat.”
“He will. I promise.” Sean’s eyes drifted shut. “We need to talk later.”
“Okay. I’m heading to the first council meeting, but I don’t know that will take long. Can it wait until we’re done?”
Sean nodded. “I’d like to stay with Quinn a while longer.”
“Take all the time you need.” Gareth leaned in for a kiss. “I’ll see you soon.”
Warmth filled Gareth as he left the room. Things were falling into place so easily now. Unfortunately, once the council meeting was done, life in the sleepy little hamlet of Lydon would never be the same.
His phone buzzed, and Gareth glanced at the screen. A message from Dani, letting him know everyone had arrived. It was faster than Gareth expected, but no sense in letting things stew. He went into the bedroom and slapped on some deodorant, then brushed his teeth. Fine, he was procrastinating, but…. He sighed. Time to face the music.
He headed down the staircase, the sounds of voices rising up to meet him. When he stepped into the kitchen, Dani gave him a smile.
“We’re ready for you, Alpha.”
He looked around the table. Dani was there, as were Wolfgang and Lyram, plus Joe Korlach, Alina Kester, and a man Gareth hadn’t met yet but was eager to get to know.
He strode over and held out his hand. “Gareth Blackthorn.”
The man smiled at him, and without even hearing him speak, Gareth knew that Deke Simmons would make an excellent addition to Lydon. He was broad-shouldered and obviously worked hard, considering how toned he was. He had shaggy blond hair just over his ears, and piercing mahogany-brown eyes.
“Deke Simmons, but I guess you already knew that.”
Gareth turned to Lyram. “Thank you for reaching out to Deke. I knew you were efficient, but didn’t expect him to get here in such a short time.”
Deke chuckled. “When your Beta called and told me you wanted me to be part of your pack, I jumped at the chance. I’ve read about your lands, and to have the chance to take care of them is like…. Well, it’s like the holy grail. Pristine waters, forests that have been untouched by anyone other than the Lydon pack? God, I could stay here forever and probably barely scratch the surface of the secrets they hold.”
